The rest of the night was almost blissfully normal. Or rather...what was quickly becoming the new normal. The family talked and planned for an upcoming trip to the Ghost Zone. They discussed how to train the Dannys' ghost powers and ideas for inventions to peaceably study and maybe even help ghosts. During the conversation, the humans finished eating and finally put away the leftovers. And then they went back to talking.

This went on for several hours. And…. for the first time in days, Phantom was...happy. It was something of a surprise but...having things out in the open was good. And Mom and Dad's reaction to what he'd seen in the Infinite Realms and learned from Sidney… they had listened to him. They had believed him. They were excited and… it made the ghost feel hopeful.

The corner of ghost Danny's mouth turned up in a smile. He turned to look at Jazz as she stood yawning. "It's already almost 11. We should start getting ready for bed, Danny."

Fenton glanced at the clock. "Oh you're right." He rubbed his eyes, as if suddenly feeling tired.

And… Phantom's smile fell, a familiar heaviness falling over his core at the knowledge of another sleepless night.

Both boys stood and started following Jazz up to their rooms. They got to the middle of the living room and-

"Danny." Mom called evenly. Both boys turned at their name and the woman's eyes flickered between the two before falling on the ghost. "Phantom." She said with a surprising lack of hesitance. "Can you hang back for a minute? Fenton, you can go up to bed."

Suddenly, the ghost boy felt his stomach flop. He looked to Fenton, half hoping he'd insist on waiting as well but… the human gave him a comforting pat on the back. "Go ahead." He lowered his voice to whisper. "You'll be okay."

Phantom nodded, accepting the comfort. He took a breath to steel himself. Despite the few words, he knew what his human half really meant. There was nothing to be nervous about; nothing in the words or tone said he was in trouble or that Mom was angry. It was ridiculous to think things could already go down hill again.

"Yeah." The ghost boy finally spoke. He turned to his sister. "Good night Jazz. Night Fenton."

His counterpart smiled. "Goodnight." His eyes flickered from Mom who was still at the table to Dad who was at the sink. "Night, Mom. Night, Dad."

Jazz gave the same 'good nights' which both parents returned. Then the human teens went up the stairs.

Phantom floated to the chair beside Mom. "So…"

The woman met his eyes, wearing a slightly sad expression. "Your dad told me about how you haven't been sleeping."

The ghost's shoulder rose. "Because...uhh… I don't have to."

"I know." She put a hand on his arm. "I just wanted to make sure you're alright." Concern shone in her eyes. "What have you been doing, when you're up all night?"

The boy shrugged. "Watching TV. Listening to Music. Reading. Drawing. Just...trying to keep myself busy, I guess."

Mom nodded. Then she asked sincerely. "Do you need anything? Or want anything? Is there anything we can do to help?"

Phantom bit his lip. For just a moment, he debated. I want to go flying, he wanted to say. He wanted to go out and see the town, his town, quiet and still and asleep. He wanted to fly high enough to see the stars above the clouds but… no, he can't say that. He couldn't ask for that.

The ghost shook his head. "No. I'm...I'm good."

The woman raised a brow, frowning. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'm...fine." Phantom glanced away, uncomfortable with the piercing gaze. (Or was it the new concern that was bothering him?) His eyes flickered to the other adult who was still trying to work on the dishes, despite looking just as concerned as Mom. The ghost looked back, taking a breath. "Actually...can I...uhhh… go to the top of the Ops Center and stargaze?"

Mom's frown deepened. "By yourself? Sweetie, that's dangerous. You could fall off."

Phantom gave her a skeptical look. "I mean… I guess I could fall off." He glanced down at his luminous, floating body. "But…If I did, I don't think it'll be a problem."

The woman followed his eyes and...she blushed, a look of realization passing over her face. "I'm sorry. You're right. Of course, you're right." She sighed. "I'll allow it. You have my permission if...your father's okay with it too."

The man turned to face the two at the table, smiling. "It's alright with me, Danny-boy."

"Really?" Ghost Danny asked, tentatively, hopefully. Both adults nodded and he smiled softly. "Thank you. I'll be fine, I promise."

"I know." Mom said with a surprising amount of trust. She leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you in the morning. I love you, Danny."

The boy blushed, but he didn't move, accepting the affection. "I love you too."

The woman stood, starting towards the stairs and Phantom floated off his seat to follow but the sound of Dad approaching stopped him. The man's large hand appeared on his shoulder. "You know that you can wake me or your mother up if you need us, right?"

Ghost Danny looked up at him, slightly surprised by the statement. "Yeah, I know."

"Good." The man pulled the boy towards him, into a side hug. "Have a good night, son. Enjoy your stargazing."

Phantom accepted the hug, returning it with one arm. "I will."

Dad gave another nod and also started towards the steps. For a long moment, Phantom just floated there, thinking. Mom and Dad were...being a little overly affectionate. But after everything that happened...a warm feeling spread in his core. He didn't feel like complaining. It was another reason to hope that things would get better.

Without a thought, Phantom floated off the chair. He should go upstairs to his room, to get their phone, a book, and his sketch pad before Fenton fell asleep. The ghost's eyes flickered to the stairs. Then he looked up at the ceiling. And…. he bit his lip, debating. His bedroom actually was the room right above the kitchen. Almost on impulse, the ghost flew up. Turning intangible, he phased through the ceiling and-

Ghost Danny paused, eyes widening as he realized the sight in front of him.

"Good night, sweetie. I love you."

Fenton was standing in his pajamas, back to Phantom. Mom stood in front of the human, a tender and loving look on her face as she kissed his cheek.

"I love you, too." The boy replied, sincerely. "Good Night, Mom."

The ghost boy watched, his still intangible head just poking through the floor. A complicated feeling swirled in his core. It was odd, almost eerie to see this exchange, so similar to the good night he'd just shared with Mom. There was a sense of...wrongness; that should have been him, really him getting ready to go to sleep. There shouldn't have been two 'good night' exchanges. But at the same time… Phantom's face softened. Mom said good night to both halves of him and the tenderness, the affection in the act...it was the same whether he was a ghost or a human.

A small gasp drew Phantom out of the thought. His eyes flickered up and….

He blushed. "Sorry."

Mom had spotted him and now wore a surprised expression. The ghost boy effortlessly flew up through the floor and became solid. At the same time, Fenton turned around.

The adult shook her head, as if to banish the started look. "No. Don't apologize." She pinned him with an earnest look.

Phantom couldn't help but blush again, remembering the conversation earlier that afternoon. These were his powers. He didn't need to apologize for using them in his own house.

His human counterpart gave him a concerned look. "You good?"

"Yeah." The ghost nodded. "Was just going to get some stuff and go stargaze on the roof." His eyes went to the adult in the room. "Mom said it was okay."

Fenton looked to her, eyes wide and hopeful. "Really?!"

"Yes." Mom answered. "But this you needs to sleep." She half-smiled, patting his shoulder.

The human boy frowned, crossing his arms. He appeared to be pouting but Phantom knew it was partly an act. Then Fenton yawned. He wrinkled his nose, muttering. "Stupid human body."

The woman's expression was hard to read, maybe uncomfortable, maybe concerned, maybe amused. Either way, she didn't reply.

Phantom flew to beside his other self, gently knocking into his shoulder. "Dude. I'd happily trade but IDK how the heck to do that. Also," The look Phantom gave was part skeptical, part playful. "I know for a fact halfa us still has to sleep."

The human boy grumbled something unintelligible, bumping into his ghost in response. Phantom knocked back and…

Mom laughed. She actually laughed.

Phantom froze looking at her like a deer in headlights.

The woman rolled her eyes, good naturedly. "Bed, you."

Fenton conceded. "Still have to brush my teeth."

"Alright." Mom started out the door, giving both a fond look. "I'll see you both in the morning."

Fenton walked down the hall, towards the bathroom. Phantom poked his head out the doorway, watching as Mom walked the other direction, knocked on Jazz's door, and entered a few seconds later, presumably to tell her daughter good night.

Fenton returned soon after and turned off the lights. He flopped onto the bed and rolled over to face the glowing ghost. "Dude. Stargazing. Is it weird I'm a little jealous?"

Phantom shrugged. "The feeling's mutual. I'd love to be able to sleep. Besides, you'll probably end up dreaming about it anyway so...two for one, I guess."

"I guess. 'Night." The human pulled the covers over him.

"Night." The ghost phased up through the ceiling. He offered a smile as his other self closed his eyes.

True to what Phantom said, Fenton did dream about stargazing. The surrounding city was surprisingly bright, with the street lights and still lit shops. But with ghostly night vision, the stars were more vibrant than ever. Human Danny marveled for a long moment before drifting away, into a strange dream about islands of ice cream and an amusement park. He returned, back to the star filled sky, this time with a far away, eerie yet beautiful song playing in his ears. It really was… incredible. Then...blackness.

Fenton blinked awake to soft sunlight on his face. His dreams...he remembered. And...the boy's brow wrinkled. It was strange; when he was asleep, he hadn't realized that he'd been seeing what Phantom was. But now...it was so obvious. Still he wondered...what if he did realize it, while he was asleep?. He always saw Phantom's actions, just passively watching. But what if he tried to direct their actions?

The human boy shook his head, dislodging the thought. It didn't really matter right now. Besides, he had to get ready for school.

After the whirlwind that was getting ready, and a surprisingly normal and peaceful breakfast, Fenton found himself walking into school. Phantom was of course at home. And Mom and Dad had said they'd start working on the Ghost Catcher again today, as well as on the ectofood problem and start setting aside a portion of the lab for powers training. But for now… the human Danny took a breath. Now, he needed to focus on school.

Fenton walked around a corner and there were Sam and Tucker, both getting things out of their lockers near his.

The boy waved. "Hey guys."

Both of his friends turned. "Hi Danny." "Hey."

Human Danny's heart warmed. They both looked and sounded happy and relieved to see him. He approached his locker and started turning the combination to open it.

Sam, who'd apparently finished grabbing her things, leaned against the locker. "So how did things go with your parents yesterday?"

So right to business, it seemed. Fenton sighed. "Pretty good. Mom apologized."

"She did?" Tucker asked, concern plain on his face.

"Yeah. She...uhh…" His voice lowered, not wanting to be overheard. "She went through the portal after Phantom. She was...she was really upset and scared, guys." He still felt a little guilty about running off. "But ghost me found her and brought her back home. And we talked about everything and…" He trailed off, a lump in his throat.

"And?" Sam asked.

Fenton was silent for a long pause, eyes flickering down.

"Dude, you don't have to tell us if you don't want to but-" Tucker started.

"No. I do. It's just….there was a lot." A lot of tears and anger. Fenton had thought he wasn't all that upset about it anymore but it still hurt. Of course, it still hurt. But at the same time….he remembered Mom kissing his goodnight last night and laughing and him and Phantom joking around with each other. The boy swallowed. "She...she said she would do better."

His friends both still looked worried. "Do you think she will?" Tucker asked.

This was sounding very much like his conversation with Jazz last night. He gave the same answer as Phantom did then, feeling his throat constrict with emotion. "I think she wants to. If she tries, I will too but….there's a lot."

Fenton didn't say very much for a while, looking down at his shoes. And neither of the other teens pressed either until…

"Do you want to talk about it?" Sam questioned.

Human Danny looked up slowly, his eyes starting to mist over. "Can we… can we go talk about this somewhere else?"

The three huddled behind the staircase on the first floor and Fenton talked. And the longer he talked, the more his eyes watered until he was actually crying. He sank down to the floor and Sam and Tucker sat beside him, hugging him from either side.

The conversation was much like the one he'd had with Jazz, the same pains resurfacing, the same tentative acceptance. And it still hurt. He was still hurt. Last night had been really good and the conversation with Mom and Dad, the apologies had gone surprisingly well but there was still that fear. What if things went downhill again?

"We'll be here no matter what." Tucker promised.

"And I get it." Sam comforted. "It's okay to still be scared. Just take your time, alright?"

Fenton nodded. "I will. Jazz...already talked about that. And...thanks guys." The bell rang. "Shoot." The boy grumbled. "We've got class in five minutes." And he probably looked like shit from crying.

"Here." Sam pulled a sleeve of tissues out of her bag. "Wiped your face."

The boy quickly did. "Thanks Sam."

"Come on." Tucker stood and helped pull Fenton to his feet.

Human Danny started following his friends. "Oh. I didn't tell you guys about what happened with Sidney."

"At lunch?" Sam asked.

A nod. "Yeah." Fenton tugged his bag up higher on his back as they passed a corner. His heart skipped a beat. Shit. There was Dash. He quickly looked down, avoiding even the suggestions of eye contact.

The jock noticed anyway. "Wow, Fenturd. You look like shit." He shoved the human into the locker. "Did you and your little girlfriend have a fight?"

"Leave him alone." Sam sneered "You don't get to talk. Your outside and your inside both look like shit."

Dash's face reddened with anger. "What did you just say to me?"

"Oh just shut up." The goth balled her fists, looking prepared to deliver a swift kick with her combat boots.

"No. What did you-"

Paulina cut the footballer off. "Come on Dash. Leave the goth freak and her loser boyfriend alone before she puts a witchy spell on you." The cheerleader put up her nose, dragging the still glaring teen away.

Fenton breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks Sam."

The girl scowled. "You shouldn't have to deal with his shit."

"Yeah. That'd be nice." The human boy wrinkled his nose. For just a moment, he remembered similar bullies, the shadows in Sidney's lair. It really was sad, that all those years ago, there was another teen dealing with the same thing. More than fifty years later and things hadn't changed in that regard. With a shake of his head, Fenton pushed the thought away. "Come on. We need to go."

The trio made it to class. And the school day was normal, strangely normal after the emotional upheaval of the past day. That was… until lunch.

"Dude… ghost food?" Tucker asked, mouth falling open.

"Yep." Fenton nodded. He'd just started telling his friends about what he'd learned from Sidney.

Then there was a sharp tug on his mind and he wasn't in the cafeteria anymore. He was in the lab, his gloved green-lit hands in front of him. And… his heart skipped a beat. There, across the space was his mom with an ectogun, the same one she'd shot him with, pointed towards him.

Just minutes earlier at home, Phantom was sitting on the couch, watching TV.

"Danny boy! Come down here!" His dad's voice called. "I've gotta show you something."

The boy sighed, floating to his feet. "Coming!"

It was kinda weird, the ghost realized as he approached the door with only slightly wary interest. Before the portal, he would have rolled his eyes, dismissing his father's excitement or he would have found an excuse to avoid the ensuing ramble about ghosts. How things had changed, now that he intimately knew that ghosts are real.

Phantom knocked on the door of the lab before opening it. He drifted down the stairs. "Yeah, Dad? What's up?" He asked once he was in front of the man's bench top.

Dad looked up, grinning. "Take a look at this." He held a plastic cup filled with something green and gelatinous. Was that…

The ghost boy wrinkled his nose. "What is that?" He thought he already knew that answer but hoped, maybe…

The adult was still smiling. "Ectoplasm! Purified ectoplasm straight from the portal. Just concentrated it this morning!"

Phantom raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"This right here! The solution to your food problem!"

"Food problem?" The ghost blanched, realizing. "Wait. I'm… I'm supposed to drink that?"

Dad's expression fell slightly. "I know it doesn't look that tasty. But… come on. Give it a try!"

Phantom blinked, taking in the man's excited face for a moment. Then he reached out to take the cup. "Alright."

"Here you go!" Dad handed the ectoplasm over.

Ghost Danny held the cup in front of him. His nose wrinkled and he hesitated.

Noticing the pause, the adult encouraged. "Just imagine it's lime jello. It sure looks like it, doesn't it?"

Frown deepening, Phantom gently shook the glass. He watched the contents jiggle. "Actually… yeah, it does." His expression relaxed some as he was surprisingly comforted by the observation. With that green color and the consistency… Maybe it would taste like jello? He raised the cup, as if to toast. "Well...here goes."

The ghost boy tipped the glass back and took a large swallow into his mouth. His nose wrinkled. Well...the texture was soft and jiggly, not quite liquid, not quite solid. Like jello but… He swallowed. "It tastes like dirt." He struck his tongue out, really wanting something to wash the taste away.

Brief disappointment flashed across the man's face. Then his eyes brightened, seeming to realize something. "But you can taste it." Dad pointed out.

Phantom frowned down at the cup again. "Yeah. I guess I can but…" He handed the ectoplasm back. "It's not something I'd wanna eat, Dad."

The man looked sad again. "Well...it's a start."

"Yeah." Phantom gave him an encouraging tap on the shoulder.

Then Mom called from across the room. "I have an idea, sweetie." The ghost turned, just as she stood from the table where she was working with her own ectoplasm samples. "I'll be right back."

Ghost Danny raised a brow but didn't ask as his mom jogged up the stairs and disappeared into the kitchen. The boy's ears twitched at a noise. His brow furrowed, wondering.

"I wonder what she's up to." Dad mused.

"She's...microwaving something?" Phantom said, confused.

"How do you figure that?"

The ghost turned at the man's slightly mystified question. "I can hear it." Dad just looked more confused and Phantom blushed. Oh right… "My hearing's enhanced."

The man blinked. Then… "Really?!" His eyes lit up.

"Yeah." A nod. "It's a lot better than it used to be. And uh...my eyesight too, 'specially at night." He slowly smiled. "The stars here look as clear as they do at Aunt Alicia's."

Dad looked even more excited. "Danno! That's amazing."

"Oh yeah. I can see so many stars." He held up hands up, as if motioning to the sky. "I can see the Milky Way. And...the colors are different too. Like...I can actually see them at night. The sky's all these shades of blue and purple. And the stars...they're not white! Like of course, they're not. Because there's red giants and blue dwarfs and a bunch of other types. But I can actually see that!" His aura flared, visibly brightening in his excitement. " So they're blue and white and yellow and orange and red and..."

Phantom trailed off as his mom came down the stairs, a tupperware container in hand. But he was still smiling.

"Wow. That's incredible." Dad beamed up at him from his seat. "Maddie! You need to hear what Danny was telling me!" His eyes flickered to the container. "What you got there?"

The woman approached the pair and opened the lid. "Take a look."

"Hot dogs?" The ghost boy questioned.

Mom held up a finger, placing down the food. "Just wait." She walked back to her work station and grabbed a needle and syringe.

Phantom felt his core pulse, slightly nervous. "Mom?"

The woman looked up, giving him a comforting smile. "Remember yesterday? I suggested integrating ectoplasm with real world food."

The boy nodded, still not understanding. He watched silently as Mom opened the packaging on the syringe and attached the plastic end of the needle to the end of the syringe. She twisted to remove the cap on the needle.

"Jack, honey. Can you hand me that ectoplasm?"

Dad handed over the cup. Mom dipped the end of the syringe into the ectoplasm and slowly lifted the plunger to draw up in the gelatinous substance and…

"Oh." Phantom understood and she picked up one of the hotdogs and injected about three milliliters into the food. "Hybrid food… for the ghost-human hybrid."

The adults both gave a chuckle. Mom continued the process with the other three hot dogs in the container. She put down the final log of meat.

The ghost stared down at the container questioningly. "So...do I just..try one?"

Mom nodded, giving him an encouraging smile. "Go for it, sweetie."

Still unsure, Phantom picked up the first hot dog she'd injected. He held it between his thumb and pointer finger, studying. He could feel...something...where he was touching the food and…. He blinked as the object slowly started glowing green.

"Danny?" Mom asked, slightly worried.

"I'm not doing that." He looked down. The other three hot dogs were starting to glow and….the one in his hand started to shake. The boy dropped it. "What the-"

Phantom didn't finish speaking as growling sounds echoed from the… hot dogs? They levitated out of the box. The boy blinked and-

He yelped as something barreled into him. Being inhumanly light and without gravity pulling him down, the fast flying object slammed him into the wall.

"Umph!" Phantom slid onto the floor.

His eyes darted to his parents. Both of them were on the floor, apparently knocked down. And… there was an aggressive yowl. The ghost looked up and...the hot dogs were flying around the lab.

"What the hell!" Ghost Danny yelled as two of the hot dogs flew right into the cup of ectoplasm and knocked it over. Both glowed brighter and…

"Language!" Mom rebuked, pulling herself to her feet.

Then one of the hot dogs...weenies...ectoweenies flew right at her.

"Mom!" The ghost boy rose to his feet. One of the bright ectoweenies let out a roar and barreled into him. He knocked into the wall again. "Seriously?!"

The hot dog darted at his face and- Did it have a mouth?! Phantom instinctively raised a hand and shot at it. The ectoweenie dodged. The ghost boy pulled himself to his feet again. His hand lit again and-

"Ow! It bit me!" Dad yelled. Out of the corner of his eyes, ghost Danny saw the man punch one of the hot dogs. It knocked into the table, more ectoplasm spilling on it.

Another ectoweenie came for Phantom's head and he darted up, hitting the ceiling. He shot down at it, ignoring the crash that sounded to his right. The hot dog dodged again.

There was an electric hum and neon green light behind him. "Take that!" Mom shouted.

The ghost couldn't focus on that. He flipped in the air, his head pointed down. Wait..was he standing on the ceiling? Another flash of green below him. Phantom lit his own hands, eyes searching. Where-

Two ectoweenies rammed into him and he fell towards the ground. His ectoenergy went off course. Phantom screamed as a green shot whizzed past him at the same time. He tumbled in the air, for just a moment registering the ectogun in Mom's hand, the end crackling with energy. The shadow of his heart skipped a beat. He flipped again, facing away from the woman.

There was a similar, though femine, shout, the hiss of cold energy impacting metal. Phantom landed heavily on the ground, his hands lit and held in front of him. His eyes flickered to Mom, her gun still hefted towards him. He flickered invisible for a second, eyes wide with fear. That gun...that gun…. She'd...almost shot him aga-

Mom's expression finally registered in his mind. Her eyes were also wide with fear. She was scared as well. His core ached suddenly. Why-

His eyes flickered to the wall just above Mom's head. It was cracked and peeling like...it had been super-cooled. Phantom banished the light in his hands, paling. "I'm...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

At the same time. "Danny! Sweetie. Are you okay? I'm so sorry." Mom paled, almost dropping the gun in her haste to put it down.

Neither have time to answer, too distracted. Phantom barely registered Dad shouting. Another ectoweenie darted at Mom from the side, growling and foaming at the mouth. Phantom's eyes widened again in fear. He flew up in a blink, just as the woman was covering her face. "Mom!"

Ghost Danny's hands wrapped around her arm and he turned intangible, pulling the woman out of the way. For just a moment, Mom's mouth fell open in surprise but...her gaze landed on his face, not on her own insubstantial body. The surprise vanished and her expression shifted. Her eyes… her eyes rounded, relieved and grateful. Phantom smiled back.

The moment was broken a second later as Ghost Danny let go of the woman. Mom wobbly landed on her feet? Had he… been making her float as well, without realizing it?

There was another crash to the side. A shout from Dad again. And… Phantom and his mother both ducked at the same time. The group of spectral hot dogs flew over their heads. The ghost stood again, fluidly turning his back to the adult. Mom turned as well so the pair were back to back, covering each other.

Another ectoweenie flew at the ghost's face. He shot another ectoblast. And this time, the energy connected. The neon green light enveloped the piece of food. The hot dogs fell out of the air and...something half-dollar sized and green was thrown backwards.

The growling and yipping around him finally quieted. Phantom stared. There, suspended in the air, was an oblong glob of ectoplasm. Or…. his ghost sense finally went off as tiny black eyes blinked from the...blob? The blob that had come out of the hot dogs…. The tiny ghost (?) let out a whine. It twirled in the air, eyes darting about. The blob let out a high pitched, fearful-sounding shriek. Then it turned to the portal and darted through the mist. The other two ectoweenies followed, letting out their own moans.

The three Fentons just stood there for a long moment, staring at where the animated hot dogs had fled. Finally, Phantom shook his head to knock himself out of his funk. He turned to face his dad first. "Are you okay?"

The man nodded. "I'm fine, son." He blinked. "That was something, wasn't it?"

"Yeah." Ghost Danny turned to check on the other adult. "Mom? Are you okay? I'm...I'm so sorry about almost shooting you. I...I didn't mean to do that. I… I'm so sorry."

The woman placed a hand on his arm, squeezing comfortingly. "Danny, sweetie. It's okay. I know it was an accident. And I'm fine, alright? Don't worry." Her lips turned down. "Are you alright?" She glanced to the ectogun on the table. "I almost… I almost shot you again."

Phantom paled slightly, looking at the gun. Then his eyes went back to the woman's face. "Hey. It's okay. It was an accident, right?" Something in her expression shifted as she recognized the repeated words. "So we're good?"

"Yes. Of course." Mom reached out and hugged him.

Phantom accepted the hug, enjoying the embrace as he felt the adrenaline dwindle away. And now that he wasn't in fight mode, there was…. Something else. A familiar feeling at the back of his mind.

Oh. Fenton. You were here.

His human gave a mental hum of agreement. And the ghost felt his muscles relax. For just a moment, he caught a glimpse of the school cafeteria. His vision was back in the lab and Mom was still hugging him. He gave the woman one last squeeze, from him and from Fenton. And ghost Danny stepped back.

Mom stepped back as well, a smile gracing her face. Then her brow wrinkled, studying him.

Phantom blushed. "What?"

"Your eyes… they're blue." She reached to place a hand on his face.

The ghost blinked. "My eyes are normally blue."

The woman slowly removed her hand, brow furrowed in confusion. Phantom finally caught the oddity of that statement.

"I mean…." He started rambling. "They are when I'm a human...and I've been human for most of my life so...I guess I'm used to the idea of me having blue eyes… even if they're actually green when I'm a ghost. And… Fenton has blue eyes...and he's me. So…" Phantom trailed off, unsure of his own words. They were technically true but… had he even been the one to actually say those words? Or had it been Fenton who was still lingering?

Mom finally spoke. "Danny. You don't have to explain yourself." The corner of her lip turned up. "And I think your eyes are beautiful no matter what color they are."

Ghost Danny blushed at the compliment, looking down. Normally, he would have complained but he was just too stunned by this whole exchange…. And still a little shook by the near misses on both their parts, despite saying that it was fine.

Finally, the boy shook his head, trying to force the feelings away. "Okay. I've got to see what you're talking about."

Phantom turned around and floated to the bathroom attached to the lab. He opened the door and fixed his eyes on the mirror over the sink. He gasped. Sure enough… his eyes were blue, the same icy blue as his human half but…. He blinked. They were still glowing, bright with his normal spectral aura.

"Woah. Look at that." The ghost breathed.

It was so odd, to see the now familiar green eyes switched with blue. But… the corner of his lip turned up. They still felt like his eyes; even if this wasn't typical, it was still right.

Footsteps approached, one heavier and one lighter pair. Dad spoke. "Madds! You're right."

Mom gave an agreeing hum. "Do you have any idea why they're doing that, Danny?"

Phantom didn't answer right away, still smiling at his reflection. "Maybe it's a perception sharing thing." He turned his head.

"Perception sharing?" Mom asked.

" 'cause human me's seeing this too."

Both parents nodded, understanding. Then Mom raised a brow. "That happens often, doesn't it?"

The ghost shrugged. "I guess." He turned back to the mirror. "Dude, you should go back to lunch." He felt an impulse to roll his eyes - Fenton's influence definitely - which he rejected. "Yeah, yeah." His mouth muttered. "See ya later."

In the mirror, his eyes returned to green. Phantom sighed, feeling sadly lonely now. He turned back to his parents, who weren't looking at him all that oddly for once.

"Is it just you now?" Mom asked gently.

The ghost grumbled. "It's always just me."

The woman's brow creased. "Just this you, then."

That made ghost Danny's frown deepen. "Yep. Just Phantom." He rubbed the back of his neck, suddening feeling awkward at the wording. His eyes flickered around the room. "Dang...the lab's a mess."

For just a moment, Mom's expression shifted as if she wanted to say something else.

Then Dad spoke. "Those ghost hot dogs did a number, didn't they?" He motioned to the spilled beakers and ectoplasm covered tables.

"Yeah." Phantom frowned. "What even was that?"

Mom crossed her arms, a similar questioning look on her face. "That was very strange. The ectoplasm I injected was inert. It was purified straight from the portal but… you both saw what happened." Her eyes flickered to the swirling green mist. "And that green… creature that flew into the portal."

The ghost nodded, still wondering. Then… "It set off my ghost sense." His confused expression deepened.

Dad raised a brow. "The hot dogs?"

"Yeah." Phantom confirmed. "I felt...something when I picked up one of them. And...that little green thing that flew out...it looked like one of those blob ghosts I saw on the other side of the portal."

"So…" A look of realization passed over the woman's face. "It was a ghost."

"But...where did it come from?" The other adult asked.

Ghost Danny shrugged, at just as much a loss as his father. He turned to his other parent, expecting her to look just as confused but…. Mom had a troubled look, which deepened when she noticed his eyes on her.

"I have an idea." The woman finally said.

"Well?" Phantom raised a brow.

Mom swallowed. "Well...we'd thought that ghosts can form spontaneously with enough concentrated ectoplasm and strong emotions. And with our emotional imprinting idea…"

The ghost boy flinched, eyes widening with hurt; the words were an unpleasant stab to the core.

The woman noticed the reaction. "Danny, sweetie. We're already well past that. I know who you are… and it's not an imprint."

Phantom relaxed, taking a breath. When had he tensed? "I know that." And he did. He shouldn't have even considered that she was implying that. "But still…" He crossed his arms. "Ghosts are the souls of dead people. I'm...I'm sure that's true. Sidney's not an imprint. He couldn't tell I wasn't a full ghost like him so… we can't be that different. If I'm not a copy of my living self, then he can't be either."

Mom tilted her head back and forth, considering. "That is a point…"

Dad scratched his head, also thinking. Then… "There might be a lot of different ways ghosts form though. Some are like Danny and his friend. And others are imprints. Maybe there's other ways to. It's like…." He pointed in a sudden realization. "Living things here reproduce in a bunch of different ways. Why would ghosts be different?"

Phantom shook his head. Okay. His parents might have a point there. But... "Okay. Sure but… what's the connection between emotional imprinting and those ectoweenies then?"

"Ectoweenies?" Dad asked. "That's a good one."

Ghost Danny figured the man would think so but he didn't reply, too focused on the other adult.

Mom bit her lip. "The idea is ghosts can form from emotions imprinting on ectoplasm, any emotions not just those… associated with a death and….there's been a lot of strong emotions in the room in the past month."

Ghost Danny felt his stomach flop as he understood. The implication... So...blob ghosts…. Formed from the sorrow, fear, and anger he'd felt in this lab. From his parents' grief and guilt. He didn't...he didn't like how that sounded. He wanted to argue that it couldn't be the case but… "I think...they were scared."

Now that he thought about it, it was clear. Trying to attack the three of them, that cry of fear, fleeing through the portal. Those small, newly formed blobs had been afraid and panicking. They were cornered animals lashing out.

A look of understanding passed over the woman's face. She nodded. "I think you might be right."

Dad looked similarly thoughtful, all three people turning to look at the portal again. And Phantom was left to wonder about the implications. About those blobs with a strange connection to him and his family. What would happen to them, in the infinitely big Realm of the Dead? Would he see them again? And what were they, really? Was his mom right? So many questions, so many uncertainties about ghosts. Again, where exactly did he belong in this new world of ghosts? And-

"Ya know, normally you fight your dinner when it's still alive." Dad mused. "I never thought I'd have to fight it after it's cooked." The man chuckled. "Makes me hungry. I'm gonna go eat lunch. Coming Mads? Danny?"

The corner of Phantom's mouth turned up. Leave it to his father to break the thoughtful pause with mentions of food. "Coming." He floated upstairs after his parents.